IT has been a special year from one little boy and his family in Ludlow.

Toby Morris, aged five, will be using his Eyegaze machine on Christmas Day.

The high tech device was brought for by local fundraiser Mike Morris, who is no relation but heard about Toby who has profound disabilities.

Eyegaze is an advanced computerised tablet that enables Toby to communicate more effectively and also helps with his development.

It costs £6,000 but has made a huge difference to Toby’s life.

“It has been something of a life-changer and enables Toby to communicate with us and let us know how he is and if he needs anything,” said Matt, who is Toby’s dad.

“Toby can operate the screen with his eyes and it is really helping him. There are a number of levels so Toby can make progress as he learns to master the machine.”

Matt said that Eyegaze is a machine that Toby also uses at the special school that he attends in Shrewsbury.

In the summer, a special garden was also built for Toby at his home in Ludlow as part of the ‘Make a Wish’ charity.

“Toby has loved the garden all summer and this has also been a life-changer for him,” said Matt.

Both the Eyegaze device and the sensory garden have helped to put a smile on the face of a little boy who has faced many challenges in his young life.

Toby can suffer more than 100 epileptic fits a day but this has improved a lot following a change of diet last year. He also needs daily physiotherapy.

He was born by emergency caesarean six weeks premature after a routine test showed that mum Nicky was suffering from pre-eclampsia – very high blood pressure.

Despite facing many difficulties, including having to be fed through a tube, Toby is a cheerful boy who brings great delight to his family and the people that know him.